Fred Hermesmann

My Encounter with a Rabbi Fred Hermesmann

The power of nature in the waves, the wind, the water, and the sun made me think about eternity. It gave me a spiritual uplift I had never felt before. Max Everyman is a confirmed agnostic, but a chance encounter with a priest, Reverend K., on an airplane leads him to question his lack of belief, and he begins, reluctantly, to look for the 'signs leading to God' that the priest has mentioned. Still, life is eventful and stressful, and he soon forgets the glimmer of belief he felt. That is, until he goes for a walk on a beach, and begins to understand something of eternity. On this lonely stretch of sand, he is approached by a rabbi, whose powerful character holds Max's unbelief in check as the rabbi explains the nature of eternity and the prospect of salvation, via a discourse on seven world religions. As Max comes to understand the links between these religions, the rabbi answers his questions: Why does religion cause conflict, and how can this be solved? Why does humanity search for God? What is the aim of religion, and how is it connected to belief? As Max is told the answers to his questions, he slowly realizes that there is more to the rabbi that meets the eye. How does he know so much about all the world religions?